But Championship Charlton are a top side. Under manager Alan Pardew the Addicks have hopes of returning to the Premiership. They are unbeaten in their pre-season games scoring 13 goals and conceding none! Our Seagulls gave them a hard game and really should have had the draw.

Micky Adams doesn't place much emphasis on pre-season results saying they are a means to an end, a way of getting players fit and preparing for the campaign ahead. He wants us right for Crewe on August 9.

Saturday's game was all about Gary Hart. Harty's happy for a couple of reasons. First, it was his testimonial game, celebrating 10 years with the Albion. This is the guy who we signed for £1,000 and a set of shirts! A sizeable crowd showed their appreciation of a fantastic servant of the club. Gary was a total commitment, never less than 100 per cent effort player.

The second reason for Gary's smile was a new one-year contract. Hart, 31 now, was released by Dean Wilkins but didn't want to leave. Before the main match there was the 'Legends of the Albion' game and great fun it was in the sunshine. The teams were simply the Reds against the Blues. The halves were short and subs were rolled out at regular intervals. A loudspeaker live commentary was often uncomplimentary – but funny!

The goalkeeping skills of Dave Beasant and Neville Southall kept the score down. Southall in particular used his positioning, and ample girth, to great effect. We had cameos from Micky Adams, Bob Booker, John Byrne (who scored for the Blues), Darren Freeman (without the pony-tail), Paul Watson, Gordon (must score – but didn't) Smith, Rod Thomas, Lee Steele and several others.

Predictably there was a penalty shoot-out to end. Testosterone abounded as Micky Adams and Paul Watson blazed high for the Blues. Possibly Micky wanted to get to the dressing room for the Charlton match briefing? It was left to Rod Thomas and Lee Steele to stroke the ball home for a Reds win. No way was big Nev going to throw himself into the corners!

For the main game the players formed a guard of honour for Hart as he ran out with his daughters Chloe and Katie.

Michel Kuipers was back in goal and Matt Richards played for the first time since his return on loan from Ipswich.

It was hot and unsurprisingly the game started slowly. Brighton were in their new strip. This is much whiter than before – white shorts, white socks and white backs. If they are running away from you they look like Leeds! The fronts have the blue stripes but overall it's white with blue rather than blue and white!

Not a lot to report on a first half score 0-0.

For the second half Joel Lynch came on for Colin Hawkins, Kerry Mayo for Richards, Dean Cox for Hart (off to standing ovation), Adam El-Abd for Steve Thomson, Kevin McLeod for Jake Robinson and Tommy Fraser for David Livermore. Both sides played more positive football but Charlton's slick passing made them the more dangerous.

Charlton scored on 58 minutes following a break down our left with a pull back for young Chris Dickinson to side foot past Kuipers. Albion upped their game with a few more tackles going in from Fraser and El-Abd. Chances were created but not taken.

Right-back Andrew Whing broke forward for a one-two with Nicky Forster but fired high. McLeod then figured first picking out little Cox on the right and then putting in a long-range effort which Callum Christie saved.

Brighton had the best of the last 15 minutes but couldn't find a way through. It ended Albion 0 Charlton Athletic 1. It was a fine tribute to Gary Hart and a good workout for both sides.

Manager Adams will have learnt a little bit more about his players and be getting close to deciding on his starting eleven at Crewe for the opening game on August 9.

Tuesday night – Albion 2 Ipswich 3 – an exciting game against more Championship opposition. Goals from Nicky Forster and Kevin McLeod, but penalties given away by Joel Lynch and David Livermore, in 3 minutes towards the end. What's that about ref?

Next up – Luton on Saturday.